Millish - Millish (2005)

Frank Zappa once stated, "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." Rather than attempt to describe Millish's music, it would be more worthwhile to cite the musical ingredients that create their music.

Millish is comprised of State Champion bluegrass fiddler Brad Phillips, National Award-winning jazz percussionist Mike Shimmin, World Champion Uilleann piper Tyler Duncan, and blazingly inventive acoustic guitarist Jesse Lee Mason, all of whom share an active interest in jazz. Never forcing a preconcieved notion of "fusion," the band has let their music coalesce over the past four years, and it's already turning heads worldwide. Their debut album earned them an International Acoustic Music Award - before it was even released.

Millish is united by a single musical goal: to participate in the evolution of modern music. Judging by their accolades, they're well on their way.

http://www.millish.com/

1. Parachute Man
2. The Mighty Pickle
3. Blue Rondo
4. Asanul
5. Chet Vorno Horo
6. Stairway To Heaven
7. Hungry Man #1
8. Kirstie's


Brad Phillips: Fiddle.
Mike Shimmin: Percussion.
Tyler Duncan: Uilleann pipes, whistles.
Jesse Lee Mason: Guitar.




Millish - Millish (2005)
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Taraf de Haidouks- Maskarada (2007)

In theory, the concept behind the twelve-piece Taraf de Haidouk’s fifth album,Maskarada is intriguing, as the album is conceived as a ‘re-gypsyfied’ reply to early 20th Century classical composers such as Ravel or Bartok (two of whose compositions are included here, along with work by de Falla and Khachaturian) who themselves borrowed from the gypsy tradition; in turn we are asked to imagine a concert hall transformed to a cabaret. Unfortunately at some point the revellers seem to have strayed into a hall of mirrors leaving us feeling dizzy and a little sick. 

For centuries, gypsy musicians stood at the crossroads between the traditional and formal, the folk dance and the court ball, and Taraf de Haidouks set out, in a somewhat academic fashion to take us through the changes from the waltz to the sirba. It’s often the case that the more intellectualised the musical concept, the less moved we actually feel, and so Maskarada proves too. For every powerful re-interpretation (the Bartok pieces, or “Asturias”) there is either a stilted retread of the kind of music you would pay for people not to play, or, at least, not to play near you (“De Cind Ma Aflat Multimea” or “Lezghinka” come to mind). By the time “In A Persian Market” comes around with its appropriation of “Autumn Leaves” the main question is not so much who is wearing the disguise as to how much longer lazy appropriation can be disguised as playful reinterpretation, the answer, being nine more tracks, approximately. Sadly this is not so much the frenzied new-folk cabaret promised so much as an Olde-World heritage affair, however pretty the sleeve or dressed-up the concept.

Tim Nelson [en http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/n4p2]

1. Ostinato and Romanian Dance

2. Lezghinka 

3. Danza Ritual Del Fuego 

4. Waltz From Masquerade 

5. In A Persian Market 

6. De Cand Ma Aflat Multimea 

7. Romanian Folk Dances 

8. The Missing Dance 

9. Asturias 

10. Parca Io Te Am Vezut 

11. Hora Moldovenesca 

12. Les Portes De La Nuit 

13. Parlapapup 

14. Suita Maskarada

Taraf de Haidouks- Maskarada (2007)

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DRD- DRD (2008)

DRD perform a mixture of traditional dance music and songs, mainly from the western part of Asturies and on a mixture of Asturian traditional instruments such as flute and fiddle, as well as on guitar and bouzouki. DRD recorded their first album in 2005 (with guest Irish piper, Jarlath Henderson) and are an exciting and innovative new voice in European folk music. They were recently selected by the Spanish Arts Council to represent Asturies in a series of high profile concerts.

01. Inera
02. Escorniellu
03. Peñera
04. Raidoriu
05. Moxeca
06. Tremoria
07. Rodendu
08. Ñora
09. Frayón
10. Canxilones
11. Branzal
12. Péndoles

Dolfu R. Fernández: Fiddle, vocals.

Rubén Bada: Bouzouki, guitar.

Borja Baragaño: Wooden flute.

DRD-DRD (2008)
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Flook- Flatfish (1999)

“The first studio album from this dazzling young Anglo/Irish four-piece, two years on from their live debut CD, is also their first recording since Mike McGoldrick, one of the band's original flute and whistle players, was replaced by bodhran sensation John Joe Kelly.

McGoldrick's departure was widley seen as a blow; if so, Flook have triumphed over adversity. Sarah Allen and Brian Finnegan continue to conjure a breathtaking array of wind blown timbres and textures, each playing several variations on the band's signature instrument. Kelly and guitarist Ed Boyd make a dream team rhythm section, their precision honed yet gossamer-fine interplay meshing mesmerically with the melodies, Boyd occasionally picking out the tune, with Finnegan and Allen hit a sparky percussive groove.

No guest players, no electronic embellishments, just a craking set of tunes, from tender waltzes to fiery Balkan dances, and a cornucopia of sublime musicianship.”

Rating *****  Sue Wilson, The Scotsman, Saturday, October 2, 1999

1. Calico
2. Eb Reels
3. The Gentle Giant
4. Sligo Reel
5. Flatfish
6. Happy Jigs
7. Bruno
8. Waltzes
9. Flutopia

Sarah Allen: Flute, alto flute, Whistler and accordion.

Ed Boyd: Guitars, bouzouki and mandolina.

Brian Finnegan: Flutes, whistles and bansuri.

John Joe Kelly: Bodhràn.

Flook- Flatfish

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Erik Marchand et les Balkaniks- Pruna (2004)

Pruna, "la Prune" en français; ou comment savourer un fruit juteux, sucré bourré d'énergie, provenant d'un arbre improbable qui aurait ses racines en Bretagne et dans les Balkans.

Erik Marchand, chanteur et clarinettiste de son état, défend depuis plus de vingt ans la musique traditionnelle bretonne et au même titre que Thierry "Titi" Robin avec qui il a d'ailleurs collaboré, il frotte ses origines aux autres cultures.

C'est ainsi qu'il joue depuis une dizaine d'années avec Bannat, le Taraf de Caransebes, groupe de musique populaire roumaine. Ses complices habituels, Jacky Molard, violon et guitare, Gabriel Kerdoncuff, trompette et bombarde, sont de la partie ainsi qu'un accordéoniste serbe, Hélène Labarrière contrebassiste française, plus habituée aux terres du jazz, un percussionniste moldave et un autre turque viennent compléter l'ensemble.

Un paquet de musiciens qui joue avec entrain une musique aux vertues médicinales, indispensable pour garder sa bonne humeur et sa largesse d'esprit. Si le mélange opère avec facilité, c'est que chacun joue avec respect la musique de l'autre et en possède une profonde connaissance.

Les improvisations et les envolées instrumentales vont bon train et la voix d'Erik Marchand transcende l'ensemble. Si les diplomates politiciens des différents états pouvaient s'entendre avec autant de facilité et d'audace, nous vivrions à coup sûr dans un monde meilleur.

1. Ar foll

2. Kastell ar mignoned

3. Reuzioù ar brezel 1ère partie

4. Reuzioù ar brezel 2e partie

5. Ar bloaz daou vil 1ère partie

6. Ar bloaz daou vil 2e partie

7. Adda kaleh

8. Pruna

9. Talvoudegez ar feiz

10. Gewier 1ère partie

11. Gewier 2e partie

Erik Marchand et les Balkaniks- Pruna (2004)
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Phønix- Folk (2007)

Danish folk-rockers present a studio album for 2007 where the unique sound of the quartet (accordion, bass clarinet, percussion and vocals) is in sharp focus, but with many guest artists adding color and depth. Phønix offers a very original and personal expression The new CD features 12 new songs and tunes, arranged with the unique "Phønix sound". Partly traditional, partly new composed material. On the cd, you can also hear a bunch of guests, including Hans Mydtskov on saxophone and the singer Ivan Pedersen.

1. Ulv, Ræv og Hare (Wolf, Fox and Hare)
2. Majvisen (The May Song)
3. Halmværket (The Straw Work)
4. Over Isen (Across the Ice)
5. Liden Karen (Little Karen)
6. Gærdet (The Fence)
7. Anden Storm (Second Storm)
8. Øst og Vest (East and West)
9. Når Bjørne Danser (Dancing Bears)

10. Bonden og Ræven (The Farmer and the Fox)

11. Anton og Randi’s (Anton and Randi's)

12. Peter S (Peter S)

Karen Mose: Voice.

Jesper Vinther: Accordion.

Anja Præst: Bass Clarinet & Clarinet.

Jesper Falch: Percussion.

Phønix-Folk

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Sharon Shannon & Galvin, McGoldrick, Murray- Tunes (2005)

“Tunes” is an album from Sharon Shannon, Frankie Gavin, fiddler and leader of seminal trad band, De Dannan, Mike McGoldrick, flautist and member of Capercaillie and Flook and who fronts his own band Fused, and one-man rhythm section guitarist, Jim Murray. The material on this new album is exactly as the title suggests – a collection of tunes ranging from traditional Irish to traditional Asturian tunes with some newly composed Scottish tunes and newly composed tunes by each of this talented quartet thrown in for good measure. “Tunes” was recorded during December 04 and January 05 in Galway and not only reflects the individual style and virtuosity of each of the musicians, but also introduces us to the powerhouse of energy and creativity generated by them collectively....

1. The Cappataggle Shuffle
2. The Rookey
3. The Jewels Of The Ocean
4. The Road To Corrandulla
5. Billy In The Lowground
6. Summers Coming
7. Calum's Road
8. Mickey Joe Mikes
9. The Bass Rock
10. The Cat's Miaow
11. The Clare Reel
12. The Bucks Of Oranmore

Tunes- Shannon, Galvin, Murray and McGoldrick

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